ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
No. 2020-10
(QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONS ENTERING CHICAGO FROM HIGH
INCIDENCE STATES)

Issued: July 2, 2020

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago, like other cities around the world, has been severely affected by COVID-19, with approximately 50,986 confirmed cases in the City as of June 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Through implementing rigorous and sensible public health measures, the City of Chicago has successfully slowed the transmission of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot has undertaken a cautious, incremental and evidencebased approach to reopening the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Certain other cities and states are experiencing a significantly increased prevalence of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary and appropriate to put in place measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Chicago as a result of people entering Chicago from high incidence states; and
WHEREAS, The Municipal Code of Chicago (“Code”) authorizes the Commissioner of Health of the City of Chicago (“Commissioner”) to implement emergency measures to stop the spread of communicable diseases, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the City’s residents, including but not limited to authority granted in Sections 2-112-080, 2-112-160(a)(4), and 2-112- 170 of the Code, in addition to 77 Ill.

Adm. Code Sections 690.1310 and 690.1330; now, therefore, The Commissioner of Health of the City of Chicago hereby orders as follows:

SECTION 1. All persons entering the City of Chicago from a state with a COVID-19 new case rate greater than 15 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 resident population per day, over a 7- day rolling average (“High Incidence State”) shall be subject to mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of the person’s presence in Chicago, whichever is shorter, unless exempted in a protocol issued pursuant to Section 2 of this Order.

SECTION 2. The Commissioner shall issue protocols governing application of this Order. Such protocols shall include an exception to the self-quarantine requirement of this Order for “essential workers,” as defined in the protocols. The protocols may include other exceptions to self-quarantine that in the sole judgment of the Commissioner are necessary or appropriate to cover situations when self-quarantine is not possible, practicable or advisable, provided such exceptions continue to safeguard the public health. Such protocols may also contain guidance for businesses to implement rules governing their employees’ business and personal travel.

SECTION 3. The Chicago Department of Public Health shall make public the High Incidence States on its website.

SECTION 4. The Commissioner may take immediate action to protect the public from COVID-19 when a person enters the City of Chicago from a High Incidence State or jurisdiction, including, pursuant to City of Chicago Isolation and Quarantine Rules and 77 Ill. Adm. Code 690.1330, issuing a written or verbal order of quarantine to the person or group of persons.

SECTION 5. It shall be the duty of every person subject to this Order to comply with this Order. Any person who violates this Order shall be subject to applicable penalties provided by law.

SECTION 6. This Order shall take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 6, 2020 and shall remain in effect until the Commissioner makes a written determination that the threat to public health posed by COVID-19 has diminished to the point that this Order can be safely repealed.

SECTION 7. If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Order, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Order are declared to be severable. This Order is meant to be read consistently with any Court order regarding this Order.

Section 3 of Order No. 2020-10 authorizes the Commissioner of Health to issue protocols governing implementation of this Order. These protocols, as may be amended from time to time, are set forth below in FAQ format for convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this order being issued and what does it mean?
A: In response to increased and high rates of COVID-19 transmission in certain states within the
United States, and to add to Chicago’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the City is
issuing an order applicable to anyone coming into the City from designated states that have a
significant degree of community-wide spread of COVID-19. This includes both Chicago
residents returning from travel to a designated state, and travelers arriving in Chicago from a
designated state. Anyone traveling from a designated state is directed to self-quarantine for a
14-day period or the duration of their time in Chicago, whichever is shorter, from the time of last
contact within the designated state, subject to the limited exceptions set out below.

Q: When does the Order go into effect?
A: This Order goes into effect on Monday July 6, 2020, at 12:01AM.

Q: Where does the Order apply?
A: The Order applies to individuals arriving in the City of Chicago, while they are in the city. The
city limits are defined in this interactive map.

Q: How will states be designated under the Order?
A: A state will be designated if it has a case rate greater than 15 new COVID-19 cases per
100,000 resident population, per day, over a 7-day rolling average.

Q: What states are currently covered by the Order?
A: A list of the states currently covered by the Order can be found here.

Q: Will the list change? When will it change?
A: The list of states will be reviewed and amended every Tuesday, starting July 14, 2020.

Q: What if I am traveling internationally?
A: Travelers coming from international locations are not covered by this Order and should follow
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Q: How long is the Order in effect?
A: The Order will be in effect until further notice, and any changes will be based on applicable
public health guidance.

Q: What happens if I violate the Order?
A: Individuals found in violation of the Order are subject to fines of $100 – $500 per day, up to
$7,000.

Q: What if I arrived in Chicago before the effective date of the Order, do I still have to
quarantine?
A: The Order impacts individuals who arrive in Chicago on or after the effective date of July 6,
2020. If you arrive in Chicago prior to that date, the Order does not impact you. However, all
individuals are expected to follow the latest public health guidance for Chicago.

Q: What if I had a connecting flight through one of the designated states but did not stay
there?
A: The Order does not apply to any individual passing through designated states for less than
24 hours in the course of travel.

Q: What if I drove through one of the designated states but did not stay there?
A: The Order does not apply to any individual passing through designated states for less than
24 hours in the course of travel.

Q: What if I was in a designated state and then traveled to a non-designated state before
arriving in Chicago? Do I still need to quarantine?
A: Yes, if you spent longer than 24 hours in a designated state, you must quarantine for 14 days
from the time of last contact within the designated state, even if you spent time in a nondesignated state for a period after being in the designated state and before arriving in Chicago.

Q: What if I have to travel for my job?
A: Travelers coming to Chicago for non-essential business and residents returning to Chicago
from a designated state must adhere to the quarantine guidelines, subject to the limited
exceptions set out below.

Q: I already had my flight booked/trip planned, do I still have to follow the quarantine
Order?
A: Yes, all travelers arriving from designated states on or after the effective date of July 6, 2020,
are required to follow the quarantine Order, subject to the limited exceptions set out below.

Q: What if I came from one of the designated states and am staying less than 14 days?
A: The mandatory self-quarantine is for a period of 14 days or the duration of the individual’s
presence in Chicago, whichever is shorter.

Q: What does it mean to quarantine?
A: Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease before a person knows they are sick,
including if a traveler has been infected with the virus but does not have symptoms. Under this
Order, quarantine means staying at a single designated home or dwelling for 14 days before
doing any activities outside of the home or dwelling. People in quarantine should separate
themselves from others as much as possible and check themselves for symptoms. Additional
requirements under quarantine include:

• The individual must not be in public or otherwise leave the dwelling that they have
  identified as suitable for their quarantine, unless seeking medical care or COVID-19
  testing.
• If seeking medical care or testing, or when traveling to or from the airport, train station,
  or bus station (if applicable), a face covering must be worn and public transportation
  must not be used.
• Food and other needed supplies must be delivered to the individual’s dwelling; the
  individual may not leave the premises to acquire supplies.
• The traveling individual or family group should be situated in separate quarters with a
  separate bedroom and, if possible, separate bathroom facility from non-traveling
  household members.
• The individual must self-monitor for symptoms potentially consistent with COVID-19. If
  any symptoms develop, the individual may leave the dwelling to receive testing for
  COVID-19 but then must return to complete the 14-day quarantine while isolating from
  other household members, regardless of the test result. A face covering must be worn
  while seeking testing.

Q: I don’t have any symptoms – do I still have to quarantine?
A: Yes, all travelers from the designated states must quarantine for the full 14 days, subject to
the limited exceptions set out below. Individuals can develop symptoms and become contagious
up to 14 days from their last exposure.

Q: What if I get tested and am negative – do I still have to quarantine?
A: Yes, even individuals with a negative test result must quarantine for the full 14 days if coming
from a designated state. Individuals can develop symptoms and become contagious up to 14
days from their last exposure.

Q: My family/friends are coming from one of the designated states and are staying with
me – do I have to quarantine too?
A: No. Traveling individuals are encouraged to self-quarantine in the home they are traveling to
in Chicago and should avoid close interactions with non-traveling household members until the
14 days have passed. Other household members who did not travel from a designated state are
not required to self-quarantine.

Q: I’m returning from one of the designated states – can I go to work or is that a violation
of the Order?
A: All travelers returning to Chicago from the designated states must self-quarantine for 14
days, subject to the limited exceptions set out below.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the Order?
A. For purposes of the Order and this FAQ, “essential workers” are not subject to the mandatory
self-quarantine under the circumstances described in (a) and (b) below. An “essential worker” is
a person who works in critical infrastructure as designated by the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency (“primary work”) and:
(a) if a non-resident of Chicago, is traveling from a designated state to Chicago for the
primary purpose of carrying out primary work in Chicago, and who needs to be physically
present in Chicago in order to carry out that primary work, certified in writing by the worker’s
employer and made available for review by authorized officials from the Chicago Department of
Public Health and Chicago Police Department, or
(b) if a resident of Chicago, is returning from a designated state, and was in the
designated state for the primary purpose of carrying out primary work in that state, and who
needed to be physically present in that state in order to carry out that primary work, certified in
writing by the worker’s employer and made available for review by authorized officials from the
Chicago Department of Public Health and Chicago Police Department.
“Essential worker” includes any state, local, and federal officials and employees traveling in their
official capacities on government business, including military service.

Essential workers traveling for work purposes are subject to the following requirements:

• Essential workers should avoid any non-essential interactions until the quarantine period
  has ended. They must limit their activities to work-related activities and functions that
  directly support their work-related activities, and avoid public spaces as much as
  possible.
• Essential workers should monitor temperature and signs of symptoms, wear a face
  covering when in public, maintain social distance, and clean and disinfect workspaces.
• Essential workers are required, to the extent possible, to avoid extended periods in
  public, contact with strangers, and large congregate settings.
  Exceptions to the Order for personal travel will be permitted for travel for medical care and
  parental shared custody. The Commissioner of Health may additionally grant an exemption
  based upon an organization’s or business’ testing and other control policies or in extraordinary
  circumstances, which warrant an exception from mandatory quarantine, subject to the terms
  and conditions applied to essential workers or terms and conditions otherwise imposed by the
  Commissioner in the interest of public health.

Q: How will this information be updated? How will travelers be notified?
A: The Order and its effects will be communicated through messaging on highways, at airports,
on the City’s website, and through social media. Hotels and short-term rentals will be asked to
communicate the 14-day quarantine to guests who have traveled from one of the designated
states.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2020             

CONTACT:
Mayor’s Press Office
312.744.3334
press@cityofchicago.org

CITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES REOPENING GUIDELINES FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP

New guidelines allow for limited in-person religious gatherings as well as requirements for social distancing; Seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions strongly encouraged to continue practicing remotely

 

CHICAGO – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today guidelines for organizations to hold in-person religious services. The “Be Safe. Places of Worship” guidelines come as the city moves into Phase 3 “Cautiously Reopen” of the “Protecting Chicago” framework. Under the new guidelines places of worship can welcome congregants back to their doors with a maximum of 50 people per room or 25 percent of the room capacity, whichever is fewer, as long as required social distancing can be maintained.

 

“For people of faith, worshipping together is an essential function, and I am grateful for the Chicagoans of faith who explored new ways to celebrate their beliefs virtually in the interest of the health and safety of everyone during the stay at home order,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “As we take this next step into Phase 3 of reopening, we can cautiously return to in-person services to bring our communities back together and begin to heal from the past few months.”

 

Under the new guidelines, a maximum of 50 people can attend in-person services per room as long as the recommended six feet social distancing between individuals not of the same household can be maintained. Houses of worship will also need to ensure that they protect congregants by maintaining healthy interactions, safe spaces and conditions, and operational resiliency and travel guidelines.

 

“As we cautiously reopen, we want people to start doing the things that bring them peace and joy, but to do so safely and smartly,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “If we don’t continue to take these important precautions, we could very well see a resurgence in cases that would mean more infections and more deaths.”

 

 

Although many Chicagoans are eager to return to in-person faith services, CDPH recommends residents who are elderly or with underlying health conditions continue to practice their faith remotely, through services on television, radio or online, until the COVID-19 data supports new guidance.

 

“As houses of worship are given clearance to open their doors to fifty people or less, I passionately ask faith leaders to carefully examine the cause and effect of allowing people into the building; permission does not mean you must participate,” said Reverend L. Bernard Jakes, D.Min., Senior Pastor, West Point Missionary Baptist Church. “Faith leaders have found a myriad of ways to adapt for the past eleven weeks, and another few weeks could save the life or lives of parishioners, as well as their families, especially our most vulnerable.”

 

For the past several weeks, the City has been working directly with faith leaders across denominations to draft guidelines to bring people back to services, while also keeping everyone safe. These guidelines are drafted to allow a gradual transition into in-person worship services while still adhering to recommended guidelines to prevent spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

 

“We are fortunate to have a mayor who not only genuinely cares about the health and safety of all city residents, but actively sought our input and the input of Chicago’s other faith leaders,” said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois. “We were gratified to see that our concerns and suggestions were listened to and incorporated.”

 

As part of the guidelines, religious organizations must follow these protocols:

• No more than 50 individuals in a room if distancing is followed;
• Stagger ingress and egress times to avoid checkpoint crowding;
• Frequently disinfect facilities;
• Provide sanitation stations available throughout facilities;
• Wear facial coverings;
• Spread out seating by 6 feet to promote social distancing; and
• Post visual signage throughout the facility regarding hygiene, social distancing and proper PPE among others.

 

“It has been an honor working with the Mayor and other faith leaders to plan how to safely and gradually reenter our houses of worship,” said Reginald Sharpe, Senior Pastor, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. “I look forward to welcoming back the faithful to church and continuing this interfaith and intergovernmental summit for the good and future of all Chicagoans.”

 

Regardless of an organization’s reopening plans, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance in phase three, including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; limiting non-business, social gatherings to <10 persons; staying at home if you feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19; and getting tested if you have symptoms.

 

Last week, Mayor Lightfoot and CDPH released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as they begin to safely reopen as part of Phase 3: Cautiously Reopen. Specific guidelines are currently available for childcare, commercial buildings, residential buildings, hotels and accommodations, food service, retail, personal services, health and fitness clubs, manufacturing, construction, warehousing, healthcare, CTA, taxi and ride hail, and parks and outdoor attractions.

 

Specific guidelines for sporting events, outdoor performances, summer programs and youth activities, the Lakefront, and museums will be available later in Phase 3 when those entities are predicted to begin reopening.

 

To download a copy of the “Be Safe. Places of Worship” guidelines or to learn about the City of Chicago’s Cautiously Reopen plans in other sectors, visit www.chicago.gov/reopening

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2020
Contact: Treshonna Nolan, Treshonna.Nolan@cityofchicago.org

 

Chicago City Clerk Anna M. Valencia Announces Limited Operational Reopening of City Hall Office Location Set for Monday, June 8

 

The Office of the City Clerk announces City Hall location limited reopening as the City moves into Phase 3 of its Reopening Plan

 

[CHICAGO] – Today, Chicago City Clerk Anna M. Valencia announced the Office of the City Clerk (OCC) will reopen its City Hall location with limited operations starting Monday, June 8, 2020. In an effort to adhere to gathering restrictions and social distancing rules, the Office of the City Clerk will be phasing in employees, starting with a limited front-line staff. The Office of the City Clerk has also implemented operational changes to increase safety for staff members and residents.  

“The health and safety of our team members and residents is our top priority,” said Clerk Valencia. “Our office has taken the necessary steps under the guidelines of both state and city requirements to increase safety measures allowing residents to obtain essential city services as safely and efficiently as possible.” 

These new operational and safety measures include:

Masks and Social Distancing Requirements

All residents and staff members are required to wear a mask or face covering and practice social distancing (maintaining a six-foot distance) while inside the OCC City Hall location.

All residents visiting the office should use the designated entrance on LaSalle Street. This entrance serves to streamline the purchasing process and ensure social distancing practices. All residents and City workers are required to have their temperature checked upon arrival at City Hall. Staff will be stationed throughout the lobby to assist with any questions or concerns.

Updated Signage 

The City Hall location lobby is reconfigured to ensure residents can receive city services as safely and efficiently as possible. Residents will notice updated directional signage as well as reminders for social distancing posted throughout the office.

City Sticker Late Fee Waiver 

To provide some relief for those who are unable to purchase or renew their stickers during this time, The Office of the City Clerk will be waiving late fees on certain City Stickers from March 19, 2020, until July 15, 2020, for residents whose stickers were up for renewal or who purchased a new vehicle from January-June of 2020.

24/7 Online Store 

The Office of the City Clerk is encouraging residents to make purchases online or by mail. Residents can visit the 24/7 online store, ezbuy.chicityclerk.com, to purchase their City Sticker, Residential Parking Permit, and Dog Licenses.

The Customer Service phone line, Archer Avenue, and Gale Street locations will remain temporarily closed. 

For the most up to date information, make sure to visit chicityclerk.com.

 

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